The Celaran Pact

By Michael McCloskey

The Celaran Pact is the tenth book in the PIT series.

A newly formed alliance of Terrans and Celarans sends a fleet to intimidate the Quarus with a show of force. They find resistance more formidable than expected, and the PIT team soon discovers that they are fighting old enemies as well as new.

• Language: English
• Publisher: Michael McCloskey
• Release date: Nov 21, 2017
• ISBN: 9780998569703

Michael McCloskey

I am a software engineer in Silicon Valley who dreams of otherworldly creatures, mysterious alien planets, and fantastic adventures. I am also an indie author with over 140K paid sales plus another 118K free downloads.

Book preview

The Celaran Pact

(Book 10 of the PIT Series)

by Michael McCloskey

Published by Michael McCloskey at Smashwords

Copyright 2017 Michael McCloskey

ISBN: 978-0998569703

Learn more about Michael McCloskey’s works at

www.squidlord.com

Cover art by Stephan Martiniere

Edited by Stephen ‘Shoe’ Shoemaker

Chapter 1

The might of the combined Terran-Celaran fleet assembled a light minute from Celara Palnod for an offensive campaign against their shared enemy, the Quarus. Telisa monitored the formations in her PV as she waited for Admiral Sager to appear incarnate. The fleet would deploy as a planar screen of robotic ships with partitioned Terran or Celaran flotillas behind it. The flotillas were uniformly either Terran or Celaran because the allies each had their own strengths and weaknesses. Keeping the flotillas limited to a single type allowed each flotilla to operate tightly together, with similar engagement closing velocities and tactics. Each flotilla was composed of six (Celaran) or ten (Terran) squadrons of three to seven ships whose combined firepower was deemed sufficient to destroy one enemy ship at a time.

The entire fleet could close into a spherical formation if necessary, but the plan was to engage with most units at the front to ensure the majority of the fleet could simultaneously fire at optimal ranges. It was standard Space Fleet doctrine—if only part of your fleet could shoot at the enemy at any given time, then you were wasting the rest of your firepower.

Telisa’s enhanced hearing told her of Admiral Sager’s arrival before the door opened. She shifted in her seat to greet him.

Admiral, she nodded without rising from her bridge lounge.

Team Member, he said. He forwent the salute, knowing she did not favor that protocol.

You said you have something for me?

Some people from Sol want to help you, Sager said, seating himself. I’m hoping you’ll hear out their offers FTF.

I appreciate that you want to help us grow our numbers, and that’s on my list, but do we really have time for face to face? There must be a thousand incomalcons who want to join the PIT team.

If I may disagree, Team Member, Sager said carefully. He paused for just the right amount of time as if waiting for approval, yet charged on a bit too fast for Telisa to actually offer it. I’ve vetted these heavily from a pool of almost one million applicants. I’ve screened the crowd down to only two people that had something important enough to offer that they’re here now.

A million? A million applicants? Telisa asked, aghast.

"Almost one million, yes. I’ve cut it down to two. They’ve traveled here from Sol to meet with you."

From a million applicants, down to two! He knows I won’t refuse after hearing that.

Magnus, please come to the bridge immediately, Telisa sent.

She had told Magnus that she would not need him for the meeting, for which he gladly thanked her. But now...

Give me a minute, he replied. He sounded more intrigued than irritated.

While Telisa waited, she considered the situation. Her first thoughts leaned toward paranoia. Would Shiny have been able to get someone this far through cleverness and subterfuge? Or straight out mind control?

Magnus hurried into the room. He wore a glossy new Veer suit over his solid frame. He had configured it to black and red by habit.

Admiral, he said to Sager.

Glad to have you join us, TM. Did Team Member Telisa fill you in?

Magnus shook his head.

I have two very special—critical, in my opinion—candidates for you to interview for the effort against the Quarus.

For the PIT team? Magnus asked.

Not necessarily, Sager said.

These two were culled from almost a million, Telisa added. Magnus looked suitably impressed. He sat down.

Bring the first one in, Telisa said.

Stracey Stalos of Guriti Nervous Integration, a synthetic voice announced.

An attractive woman of indeterminate age walked in. Telisa and Magnus rose to greet her. Stracey Stalos had large eyes and shiny black hair. In many ways, she looked like Telisa—slender and the same height with matching hair—but Ms. Stalos had an air of delicate elegance rather than Telisa’s stout, rugged athleticism.

I know this person somehow, don’t I? But her face isn’t familiar, only her name.

I’m very happy to be here, Stracey said. It’s an honor to meet more Team Members.

More team members? Nope. I still don’t know who this is.

Stracey flashed a smile. No need to introduce yourselves, of course. I know you’re Telisa and you’re Magnus, she said, looking at each of them in turn. I’m Stracey and I head GNI.

They each held their hands forward, slightly slanted in the Core Worlder touchless greeting. Telisa sat back down and Stracey sat a second later.

What have you come all this way for? Telisa said directly. Her voice sounded a bit hard to her own ears.

GNI has been working on a project to protect host bodies from Trilisk control, Stracey said. I’ve been directly involved since the beginning, as it’s something of a pet project for me. I’d like to perfect our approach with the PIT team, if you’ll work with me, and offer you any solution we can forge.

Telisa bristled and her alertness heightened.

Really? How did you learn about host bodies, dare I ask?

After TM Yang discussed it with me, Ambassador Shiny was kind enough to provide us with data about the host bodies. He’s also eager to solve this problem.

Jason Yang! Okay, that mystery is solved.

Honestly, I’m surprised Shiny would share that kind of information with you. Still, have you cracked the problem?

We believe we’re very close. I tried to contact TM Yang, but with him so far out on-mission, I haven’t been able to get word to him. The Space Force interviewed me and offered me transport here once I explained what GNI has to offer.

That’s amazing. The PIT team would like to review what you’ve learned.

I hope to administer the treatment on you, Stracey said. If you’re dealing with Trilisks, it could save you.

I haven’t told her the nature of our current mission, Admiral Sager sent to Telisa and Magnus privately.

Come with me to our Vovokan support ship later, Telisa said. I’d like you to meet our xenobiologist and explain what you’ve developed to him.

"I’m not sure it can be... grasped that easily, Stracey said. It took a team of—"

My person can grasp it, Telisa said, purposefully using the same word Stracey had chosen.

Of course, she said. Telisa supposed she knew better than to argue with a TM.

How did I get so powerful?

Once our TM approves, we can put together a plan for collaboration. How long do you think it would take to create a prototype from your research?

I think we could accomplish it in a couple months, maybe faster.

Not enough time to take care of it before the campaign. Telisa did not reveal her disappointment at that timeline. Besides, I don’t trust this woman or her corporation.

Is TM Yang available? Stracey asked. Maybe I could say hi while I’m waiting for you to finish here?

Telisa took a deep breath.

If we tell too many people about the copies it’ll get out fast, Magnus shot in privately.

Exactly what I was worried about, Telisa replied electronically. Though she knows about the host bodies already. I wonder if GNI has kept that secret. They may well have, for their own potential benefit.

I’m sorry, but Jason isn’t here, Telisa said to Stracey.

Of course. You all have very important work to do.

Please wait just a while longer, and I’ll escort you to our research vessel, Telisa said.

Research vessel. Right. But she’ll be impressed by the Vovokan hardware. I wonder if Maxsym and her will hit it off?

Thank you for this opportunity, Stracey said. After a heartbeat, she stood.

Telisa felt awkward for not standing, so instead she said, It won’t be long.

Stracey nodded and walked out.

Well, I can see why she made the cut, Telisa said to Sager. If GNI is serious about fixing this vulnerability, that could be a huge advance for us.

My thoughts exactly.

Well we know why Shiny wants to ‘solve this problem’, Magnus said. He wants to control the host bodies directly the same way Trilisks do.

I suppose... but he already controls us, more or less, Telisa said.

She paused, but Admiral Sager did not comment.

Telisa continued.

Okay, I’m warming up to this. Too bad we’re already half done. Send in the next.

Sager nodded.

Aiye of Core World Security, the synthetic voice announced. The door opened.

That voice is making me feel like a queen being visited by subjects.

A humanoid machine advanced through the doorway, wearing a Space Force uniform with the rank of Colonel. The android had silvery skin and a green circle on its uniform, clearly marking it as artificial. The android had only a smooth sensor plate for a face, curved to fit the shape of its head. It held a small black case by a handle.

I am Aiye, it said, declining its head slightly.

Nice to meet you, Telisa said. She worked at being more polite now that she had wrapped her head around how important this meeting could be. What do you do, Aiye?

I oversee monitoring the Sol system to detect Trilisk invaders, Aiye said.

Telisa raised an eyebrow.

Important, indeed.

Then it’s an honor to meet you, Telisa said. You’ve strayed a long way from Sol.

Admiral Sager has allowed me to come here and offer my assistance to this fleet, Aiye explained. The technology and protocols I deployed remain in place at Sol and are being monitored by my second.

Telisa nodded.

How is the monitoring accomplished?

The android opened the small case it had carried in and brought out a matte black sphere with a fractal pattern of ridges etched across its surface. It was half again larger than Telisa’s attendant spheres wandering nearby.

I carefully studied the devices which TM Yang used to find Trilisks on Earth, Aiye explained. Once their principles of operation were understood, I created this mobile design that is even more sensitive.

And you deployed these in the Solar System?

Yes.

So were there Trilisks present?

Yes and no. Three places did trigger the signals, but we have not been able to—

Telisa moved forward in her seat and almost stood.

Which three places?

One on Earth. An island in the Mediterranean Sea...

Telisa relaxed a notch.

Ah. Yes. Go on.

Aiye’s tilted its head as if puzzled, but it continued.

Two locations in the outer system, Aiye said. It waited to see if Telisa would dismiss that information as well.

The outer system, hrm. Impressive detection abilities! So let me guess, Shiny told you that your devices were working but that there was nothing to worry about.

Aiye nodded. "You’re absolutely right, TM Relachik. Ambassador Shiny said that it was not a malfunction. He said that we had detected active Trilisk technologies in use, but that they were under his control."

Telisa steepled her hands.

Probably the AIs. Unless he somehow trapped a Trilisk in his columns and did not blow them up as he told us he would? Or if Shiny is controlled by a Trilisk, it might have chosen to stay hidden. But Shiny’s actions don’t seem like those of a Trilisk... once again, it could be concealing its plan.

Returning to the island. Did you investigate that site?

There was already an active Vovokan installation there, and ambassador Shiny classified that place the same way.

Very impressive, Aiye.

So you knew about these, at least about the island? Aiye asked.

A man on my team discovered the island. There’s a Trilisk compound there, so it makes sense it would be giving off these clues even if Trilisks are no longer present. I have good theories about the other spots. Shiny has ships cloaked there, and I can verify that he uses powerful Trilisk devices.

Aiye nodded. Interesting.

Tell me more about the sensors.

These devices are compact and fast. Hard to detect. If you need to find Trilisks within a star system, then this is the solution.

Did you bring more?

I brought a hundred of them with me.

Telisa stared at the device before her.

This is great. Though detecting them is only part of the battle.

Each module is only fifty percent more massive than your attendants here, Aiye added.

I think we could use your help, Aiye. I have to discuss it with some other TMs, though, Telisa said. Thank you for coming all the way out here.

Aiye nodded. The universe is stimulating and complex. I’m glad to see more of it.

The android put its hardware back into the case and walked out.

This is all wonderful. Sometimes I forget the PIT team is not an island. We have allies back home.

I have more help to offer, this time directly from the Space Force, Sager said.

We’re in the middle of a huge Space Force fleet. I think you’re already pulling your share, Telisa noted.

Nevertheless. I know the Cylerans excel at close quarters combat, and you have the Vovokan battle spheres. Still, I wanted you to know that our own special forces are available.

Telisa opened her mouth to reply, envisioning first Terran marines, then combat robots... until she remembered something Cilreth had told her.

An Avatar battle system? she asked.

Sager blinked. You’re remarkably well informed, TM.

Telisa just smiled, so Sager continued.

The Avatar Class Battle Module at your disposal is designated ‘ACBM Mamba’.

Thank you, Admiral. That will come in handy.

Sager nodded and shifted in his seat. He looked worried.

Something else? she asked.

I don’t think this ship would be best for the TMs in a fleet engagement, Sager said. I would recommend moving to a more formidable ship.

I suppose you have a point, Telisa said slowly.

I’ve made a high energy weapons ship available for you, Sager said. I’d urge you to move there.

We have some... Telisa struggled to find the appropriate words. Sensitive research going on here that won’t exactly work with a Space Force crew roaming around...

It’s a new robotic vessel. There would only be one crew member, an engineer, assigned to the ship and I’ve vetted her extensively, Sager assured. It’s the largest class of automated ship we have.

You’ve been doing a lot of vetting recently.

One of the joys of being an admiral, Sager said.

Telisa understood the sentiment. As a leader, one faced endless decisions all day long. Telisa was lucky enough to still see the field—a privilege that she would lose if they ever hired a full ship’s complement for the PIT team.

Tell me about the engineer, she said.

Telisa received a pointer from Sager. She saw a Space Force personnel file at the other end.

Lieutenant Sisela Barrai, an officer decorated for saving lives in Sol’s asteroid belt when Shiny took over. She’s intelligent, loyal, and a great fighter.

Sager stressed the last point heavily.

A great fighter? But she’s an engineer, right? I know the two aren’t mutually exclusive, but why are you selling it so hard?

I think it would be a culture fit. The PIT team does as much combat training as Space Force marines, at least, when you’re not on-planet. Then you do the real thing. Barrai has won several medals for both her virtual and incarnate combat prowess.

Okay. But she’s not up for the team, really, she’s just on our ship.

Sager shrugged. Then as a practical matter, she’s part of your team, even if she stays Space Force and doesn’t get the exalted rank.

Fair enough.

Chapter 2

Siobhan stepped off the shuttle into the bay of the Sharplight, a robotic HEW cruiser. The bay was white and spotless, with seams of all shapes and sizes on the walls where various support equipment would fold out as-needed. Only one of the panels lay open, the niche of a loading robot which was offloading containers from the shuttle.

Telisa walked off the shuttle and paused next to her.

"So, we’re not going to name it Iridar?" Siobhan asked half-seriously.

We’ve already got two of them.

This ship has some slickblack automated features that I’m interested in studying, Siobhan said. She had already spotted another row of cargo bay robots lined up against the far wall and was busy predicting their functions based on their various shapes and sizes.

Caden disembarked energetically behind them. Marcant plodded out after him.

Where’s Maxsym? asked Caden.

He wants to stay on the Vovokan ship. I think he’s been relying on its computing power for his work,